The role of diet on long-term concentration and pattern trends of brominated and chlorinated contaminants in western Hudson Bay polar bears, 1991-2007

Mckinney, MA; Stirling, I; Lunn, NJ; Peacock, E; Letcher, RJ

HERO ID

1002260

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2010

Language

English

PMID

20870269

HERO ID 1002260
In Press No
Year 2010
Title The role of diet on long-term concentration and pattern trends of brominated and chlorinated contaminants in western Hudson Bay polar bears, 1991-2007
Authors Mckinney, MA; Stirling, I; Lunn, NJ; Peacock, E; Letcher, RJ
Journal Science of the Total Environment
Volume 408
Issue 24
Page Numbers 6210-6222
Abstract Adipose tissue was sampled from the western Hudson Bay (WHB) subpopulation of polar bears at intervals from 1991 to 2007 to examine temporal trends of PCB and OCP levels both on an individual and sum-(∑-)contaminant basis. We also determined levels and temporal trends of emerging polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) and other current-use brominated flame retardants. Over the 17-year period, ∑DDT (and p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDT) decreased (-8.4%/year); α-hexachlorocyclohexane (α-HCH) decreased (-11%/year); β-HCH increased (+8.3%/year); and ∑PCB and ∑chlordane (CHL), both contaminants at highest concentrations in all years (>1ppm), showed no distinct trends even when compared to previous data for this subpopulation dating back to 1968. Some of the less persistent PCB congeners decreased significantly (-1.6%/year to -6.3%/year), whereas CB153 levels tended to increase (+3.3%/year). Parent CHLs (c-nonachlor, t-nonachlor) declined, whereas non-monotonic trends were detected for metabolites (heptachlor epoxide, oxychlordane). ∑chlorobenzene, octachlorostyrene, ∑mirex, ∑MeSO(2)-PCB and dieldrin did not significantly change. Increasing ∑PBDE levels (+13%/year) matched increases in the four consistently detected congeners, BDE47, BDE99, BDE100 and BDE153. Although no trend was observed, total-(α)-HBCD was only detected post-2000. Levels of the highest concentration brominated contaminant, BB153, showed no temporal change. As long-term ecosystem changes affecting contaminant levels may also affect contaminant patterns, we examined the influence of year (i.e., aging or "weathering" of the contaminant pattern), dietary tracers (carbon stable isotope ratios, fatty acid patterns) and biological (age/sex) group on congener/metabolite profiles. Patterns of PCBs, CHLs and PBDEs were correlated with dietary tracers and biological group, but only PCB and CHL patterns were correlated with year. DDT patterns were not associated with any explanatory variables, possibly related to local DDT sources. Contaminant pattern trends may be useful in distinguishing the possible role of ecological/diet changes on contaminant burdens from expected dynamics due to atmospheric sources and weathering.
Doi 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2010.08.033
Pmid 20870269
Wosid WOS:000285070800020
Url /www.elsevier.com
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Comments Source: Web of Science WOS:000285070800020
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword Polar bear (Ursus maritimus); Hudson Bay; Brominated flame retardant; Organochlorine; Temporal trends; ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
Is Qa No